East Division Update - March 15th

Six of the divisions' eight teams were in action tonight, with the Islanders and Devils having played yesterday afternoon. The Penguins hosted the Bruins for the first of two in two nights, the Sabers hosted Washington in Buffalo, and the Rangers hosted a struggling Flyers team at Madison Square Garden. My analysis of the three games below.

(Image Credits: 1 - BlueShirt Banter, 2 - USA Today SportsBook Wire, 3 - PensBurgh)

FLYERS @ RANGERS

This game was pretty evenly matched the whole way, even though one wouldn't have thought it would be after looking at the teams' records. The numbers lie sometimes, and teams can play better than the record indicates. This is the case for the New York Rangers lately, they're just not getting the results and two points when they need it. New York got a stellar performance from Artemi Panarin in his second game back since the assault allegations against him, getting a goal and two assists. The Rangers competed hard all night long but ultimately fell to Philly in overtime, 5-4. Flyers forward Jake Voracek took advantage of a turnover in the extra frame and beat Keith Kinkaid for the winner.

Scoring:

Rangers: Artemi Panarin (6), Colin Blackwell (6), Julien Gauthier (2), Kevin Rooney (5) (Even Strength).

Flyers: James Van Riemsdyk (13), Ivan Proverov (4), Joel Farabee (12, PPG), Claude Giroux (6, PPG), Jakub Voracek (4 - OT Winner).

CAPITALS @ SABERS

There isn't much to be said about this game, as the Buffalo Sabers came in having lost 10 straight, hoping to somehow get a win and end that streak. Their luck would not change, however, as the Capitals beat them like a drum 6-0 for their 5th straight win and sent the Sabers to their 11th straight loss. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored again and continues to climb the ladder of goal scorers in NHL history, tying Phil Esposito for the sixth most at 717. The Capitals goaltender Vitec Vanecek got his first career shutout as well, making 23 saves in the win for Washington.

Scoring:

Capitals: Evgeny Kuznetzov (3), Niklas Backstrom (11), Richard Panik (3), Daniel Sprong (6), Garnet Hathaway (4), Alex Ovechkin (11).

Sabers: No Goals.

BRUINS @ PENGUINS

The Bruins came into this one looking to right the ship after losing to the New York Rangers 4-0 on home ice on Saturday. The Penguins, however, were riding high and looking to earn their sixth straight win. The Bruins got an early powerplay goal and pushed hard, controlling the pace until the end of the first period when Evan Rodrigues sneaked a shot through Jaroslav Halak to tie the game at one. That which was followed by a Sidney Crosby below the goal line snipe, that Halak would also have liked to have back. The Penguins kept the foot on the gas offensively in the second, adding a powerplay goal of their own from Evgeni Malkin and limiting the Bruins to little scoring chances. Boston pushed hard in the third, but could not solve Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry, who stopped 42 of 43 for his fourth straight win and earned the Penguins a sixth straight victory. Pittsburgh is now an impressive 12-2 at PPG Paints Arena, which is among the best home records in the NHL.

Scoring:

Penguins: Evan Rodrigues (2), Sidney Crosby (11), Evgeni Malkin (8-PPG), Jake Guentzal (11-EN).

Bruins: Matt Grzelcyk (1-PPG).

Standings Update After Tonight:

1. Islanders

2. Capitals

3. Penguins

4. Bruins

5. Flyers

6. Rangers

7. Devils

8. Sabers